The Download

Shopping With Credit-Card Readers Attached to Smartphones

If my friend Beth’s recent holiday buying is any indication, shoppers are in for a more-connected experience. Last week, my 82-year-old buddy wanted to buy a platter at her church bazaar. She was met with a “newfangled credit-card” gadget.

“The salesgirl told me to slide my credit card through a little square thing attached to her phone,” Beth told me. “She said it was safe, I did it, I hope it was ok.”

That small device called Square is a credit-card reader that works just like the in-store swipe machines. Square has the same security protections as the traditional models.

But instead of using a pen to sign your name, you use your finger. No paper receipts either-those are e-mailed to you.

Mobile payment readers are popping up everywhere this holiday season. You’ll see them in malls and big-box stores.